Kevin Tuinte, a mechanical engineering student from the Netherlands and part of the Negotiation Project Twente, transformed from a nervous student into a confident negotiator. He shares his journey in mastering negotiation, highlighting how he competes in global tournaments against top universities. Kevin reveals the power of taking breaks during high-stakes discussions and emphasizes that negotiation is not just about tactics but also about developing soft skills. Through consistent practice, he unlocked a new mindset that can benefit anyone, from students to professionals.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Practice Builds Real Skills
Prepare extensively for negotiation cases and practice strategies weekly.
Use theory, simulations, and receive feedback to build confidence and skills.
insights INSIGHT
Negotiation is Soft Skills Bundle
Negotiation is not a single skill but a bundle of soft skills used at the right moment.
Successful negotiation combines listening, empathy, and adaptability beyond traditional tactics.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Confidence Grows Over Months
Kevin’s confidence in tough meetings grew after about four months of practice.
He reflects calmly afterward, noticing reduced nerves and a newfound composure.
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Crucial Conversations provides tools and strategies for handling difficult conversations where stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. The book focuses on creating a safe environment for candid discussions, using techniques like STATE (Share, Tell, Ask, Talk, Encourage) and CRIB (Commit, Recognize, Invent, Brainstorm) to ensure productive and respectful communication. It underscores the importance of shared understanding, mutual purpose, and active listening in achieving successful outcomes in crucial conversations.
The Process
Jeff Zimmerman
Tanner Bell
A Real Story of Confidence, Clarity, and Breakthroughs
In this episode, Kwame talks with Kevin Tuinte, a mechanical engineering student from the Netherlands who discovered the power of negotiation… and never looked back. Through his work with the Negotiation Project Twente, Kevin went from anxious in tough conversations to leading high-level negotiations — even winning global tournaments against top law and business schools.
You’ll learn how Kevin trains soft skills in a technical world, why breaks are an underrated tool in high-stakes moments, and how practicing negotiation weekly changed his mindset — and his future.
What you’ll learn:
– The moment Kevin realized he could stay calm under pressure
– Why breaks are a secret weapon in negotiation
– How to train confidence, not just tactics
– Why negotiation is a bundle of soft skills (and not just for business people)
Whether you're a student, professional, or lifelong learner — this is the reminder that negotiation is a skill you can master. And the best time to start is now.
Negotiate Anything 
